Belarus frees 250 political prisoners as U.S. eases sanctions
John Cole and Alexander Lukashenko (Photo: President of the Republic of Belarus/Handout via REUTERS)
After a meeting
with a U.S. delegation led by Special Envoy John Cole, Belarusian dictator
Alexander Lukashenko released 250 political prisoners from his prisons, local human
rights center Viasna reported on March 19.
Viasna said 15 of those freed will be deported and 235 will remain in Belarus. Independent Belarusian outlet Nasha Niva reported that the list of released people included journalist Katsyaryna Andreeva, blogger Eduard Palcys, and rights activist Nasta Loiko.
Nasha Niva reported that Cole arrived in Minsk for the talks and met with Lukashenko. According to that report, Lukashenko asked Cole to discuss not only regional issues and the war in Ukraine but also the fighting in the Middle East, saying he was concerned because, he said, the United States was "fighting against friends" of Belarus.
Cole last visited Minsk in December 2025; his visit then was
also followed by the release of political prisoners. In September 2025, Cole’s
trip preceded the release of 52 people, including 14 political prisoners, and
the United States lifted sanctions on the Belarusian airline Belavia.
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